Preparing students for tomorrow’s challenges in the global business market

Today’s global business environment necessitates graduates and professionals to acquire multidisciplinary skills to achieve their personal and professional goals. Technological developments such as artificial intelligence and machine learning are developing at an accelerated pace, transforming business processes and the world of work.

This makes it essential for individuals to upskill themselves to remain competitive in our increasingly globalised world. Graduate studies are useful for individuals who wish to further their career or start their own business, gain specialised knowledge in a field and develop the soft skills needed to navigate the new economy.

Those interested in creating their own ventures or widening their business know-how will find entrepreneurial-related programmes or MBAs an ideal launch pad into the business world. There are a multitude of programmes available worldwide to help you broaden your business knowledge but choosing an institution that is a trailblazer in its field, and at the forefront of business education and research, will act as your springboard for success in today’s global market.

The UK is globally renowned for its high standards of education. Many of the region’s universities have consistently performed well in world university rankings, while it is also home to a diverse community of people, making it an ideal location for international students’ graduate studies.

If your interest is piqued, here are four business schools in the UK to unlock your business potential:

NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY, BUSINESS SCHOOL

Nottingham’s Business School is at the forefront of business education and research, with strengths in entrepreneurship, innovation and business sustainability. As a testament to its prowess, they are ranked sixth in the UK for research power.

Prospective MBA students can choose from the School’s Executive MBA and Executive MBA Healthcare programmes, which are advanced management courses for executives and managers seeking career progression. Both programmes are ranked among the top 100 worldwide, according to the QS Global EMBA Rankings 2019.

The Executive MBA is flexible, enabling working adults to balance study with life and work commitments concurrently. Students can also tailor their programme to study modules that are appropriate to their career goals.

Conversely, the School’s Executive MBA Health programme aims to prepare healthcare professionals for the challenges of organising and managing complex healthcare services. Their healthcare management modules are led by academics, whose research focus specifically on management, and invited management experts from healthcare and beyond. Both programmes aim to help students develop a global perspective on business.

Alternatively, those looking to become the next generation of entrepreneur leaders may want to study the MSc Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management programme, which aims to engage students in practice, enabling them to develop their entrepreneurial capabilities. The programme is delivered by The Haydn Green Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a centre of entrepreneurial skills development, innovation and work with small and medium enterprises.

Scholarship opportunities are also available, some as generous as 30 to 75 percent off students’ tuition fees.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON, SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

UCL is among the world’s top 10 universities, according to the QS World University Rankings 2019. Their School of Management is a world-class business school strategically located in central London, a centre of global economy and finance. Programmes are typically focused on innovation, technology, analytics and entrepreneurship.

The School offers numerous business-related programmes at the graduate level. For instance, the UCL MBA, global and online prepares students to make data-driven decisions, lead diverse teams and identify innovative solutions to complex business challenges. The programme can be completed within two years while students are not required to take the GMAT to enrol. Prospective students can develop specialised skills in three focal tracks: Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management.

Meanwhile, students who are keen to enjoy international exposure in China may opt for the UCL MBA with Peking University programme, which brings two world-leading universities together in Beijing. Students can also complete elective courses in London during the summer months. The programme can be taken full-time (16 months) or part-time (28 months).

Those looking to build their own high-impact venture may want to enrol in the School’s MSc Entrepreneurship programme, which provides students with practical knowledge, skills and the beginnings of a network to start a business successfully. Students will interview prospective customers, learn how to do ‘rapid prototyping’, use the tools of ‘lean’ entrepreneurship and pitch new ideas. It can be done full-time (one year) or on a part-time (two years) basis.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON, SOUTHAMPTON BUSINESS SCHOOL

Southampton is a member of the prestigious Russell Group Universities. The Southampton’s Business School is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for Business, Management and Marketing in the 2020 Guardian University Guide, and offers full-time and part-time graduate programmes for students.

The School’s full-time MBA programme is a year-long and gives students an understanding, knowledge and the confidence to challenge conventional thinking and stand out in today’s fast-moving business world. Students will have the option to pursue the Generalist Pathway or two Specialist Pathways: the Entrepreneurship Pathway and the Maritime Pathway.

The programme is taught by world-class academics and trains students to apply cutting-edge thinking into real business problems through a combination of business research, ‘live’ client consultancy, company visits, international study trips and regular exposure to senior business leaders. The programme is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). They also offer a part-time MBA programme.

In additon, the school offers the MSc Entrepreneurship and Management programme, where students will learn about enterprise and entrepreneurship in a global context from leading entrepreneurship and management experts. Students will attend talks from leading entrepreneurs and visits to innovative businesses, in addition to benefiting from their academics’ expertise in areas including the digital economy and social and sustainable enterprise.

The course also includes a specialist module on social enterprise and Entrepreneurship not typically offered by most UK business schools.

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK, WARWICK BUSINESS SCHOOL

For the uninitiated, WBS is part of the University of Warwick, one of the world’s top 100 universities, according to the QS World University Rankings 2020.

Prospective students who are looking to transform their career might want to pursue WBS’ full-time MBA, which aims to create entrepreneurial, creative and effective leaders. The one-year programme enables students to gain an innovative learning experience, which includes international travel, unlimited coaching, in-depth work with leading companies and a peer group from a range of different industry sectors and cultures to help you grow both personally and academically. The programme was ranked first in the UK and 18th in the world by The Economist in 2018.

Meanwhile, WBS’ Distance learning MBA – ranked first in the world by the Financial Times’ Online MBA Ranking 2019 – will help students enhance their career and broaden their skillset without stepping out of work. Conversely, the Executive MBA aims to give students the strategic leadership skills needed to start their own business, fast track to the C-suite, or to transform their career by redefining their next steps. Their small class sizes will ensure students build memorable connections that last a lifetime.

Those with entrepreneurial flair who are looking to establish their own business may want to opt for the School’s MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IAE) programme. This practical course will equip students with the knowledge to apply best-practice approaches to designing, developing and running their own business. Students will also focus on how innovation can be exploited in technological and business contexts, to increase success for new product or services-based businesses.

*Some of the institutions featured on this article are commercial partners of Study International

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